Mechanical pencil



July 249 i934 A. H. STENERSEN MECHANICAL PENCIL' Filed Oct. 15, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet @u agg July 24, 1934. A. H. STENERSEN MECHANICAL PENCIL Filed 00L l5, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet- 475CIJ 130 way to the Writing tip.

Patented July 24, 1934 UNI-TED STA-Tes PA'lzEzlSJ'Iy OFFICE MECHANICAL PENCIL tion of Delaware Application october 15, 1932, serial No. 637,867

19 claims. (ci. 12e-1s) This invention 'pertains to mechanical pencils, and is particularly applicable inv pencils of the magazine type wherein lead sticks are fed .successively from a magazine to the writing ""-point in accordance with requirements for use.

. l A- general object of thev invention is the provision of an improved construction for such pencils which will be economical to manufacture,"e a.sily assembled and disassembled, and

"l0 which'will .be certain and positive in operation.

A particular object of the invention is the provision of suona-construction which will be very sturdy even. though the parts may be quite small, and which will be effective to minimize 15 destructive wear of the operating parts.

Another object is the provision of such a construction which is particularly adapted for embodiment in quite slender pencils.

Another particular object is the provision of a magazine pencil adapted to feed a succession of lead sticks automatically from the magazine to the writing pointand which is operable to effect both the propulsion and retraction of the lead to and from the Writing point as desired.

v Another particular object is the provision of a construction adapted to eiectf the close following-on of one lead stick'after another and preclude retraction' of the lead' sticks into the magazine after they have passed therefrom Yet another .object is the provision of a construction which will firmly hold the lead in writing position, yet is operable to eifect anyL desired longitudinal adjustment of the lead relative to f the writing tip.

Yet another special object is the provision of a construction serving to safeguard the leadhandling parts against injury from lead sticks `of excessive diameter.

Other and further objects of the invention will be pointed out or indicated hereinafter, or will be apparent upon anl understanding of the invention or its employment in use.

For the purpose of aiding in an explanation "4u of the invention, I show in the drawings forming a part of this specification, and hereinafter describe, certain preferred embodiments of the same, but it is to be understood that these are here presented merely for purpose of illustra- '50 tion, and hence are not to be construed in any fashion calculated to limit thel appended claims g short of the true and most comprehensive scope of the invention in the art.

In said drawings, Fig. 1 is a A,longitudinal section through the on their lower portion of a mechanical pencil containing one embodimentof the invention;

Fig. 2 is a broken longitudinal section through the upper portion of such a pencil;

Fig. 3 is a cross section on approximately line 3 3 of Fig. 2, but with the eraser and eraser ferrule removed;

Fig. 4 isA a cross section on approximately line 4-4 of Fig. 2, but with the actuator sleeve removed; v

Fig. 5 is a cross section on approximately line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a cross section on approximately line 6-6 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. '1 is a cross section on approximately line 7 7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a full length longitudinal section of a pencil containing the structural features illustrated in the foregoing figures and with lead sticks therein as in normal operating condition;

Fig. 9'is a perspective illustration of the traveller whichforms part of the lead-propelling mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a perspective illustration of the pawl lifter; 80

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section corresponding to that illustrated in Fig. 1, but of a slightly modified construction; and

Fig. `12 is an end elevational view of the tip shown in Fig. 11, on a somewhat larger scale.

Described generally, the present invention, in one particular, comprises a mechanical pencil having in its upper portion a magazine adapted to contain a plurality of lead sticks-side by side, said magazine being provided with a constricted passage through -its bottom adapted to permit the passageI of lead sticks singly and in succession from the magazine into alead guide channel .which conducts the lead sticks to the lower end of the pencil. A lead-propelling device is movable longitudinally in the pencil and is adapted to engage a lead stick in the guide channel and propel it toward the tip, a succeeding lead stick meanwhile following on in the lead channel.

to engage a lead stick .in the channel and feed 110 When the lead-propelling device or traveller reaches its limit of downward moveit'on toward the writing tip to any desired extent. The lead may be thus propelled to an extent equaling the full length of a lead stick,

without retraction of the lead-propelling device between the successive lead-propelling opera tions.

y For writing, the lead stick in writing position is definitely held by the lead-propelling mechanism against return movement under writing pressure. Provision is made, however, for a retractive movement of the lead at the writing point when desired. This is accomplished by the provision of a lead-clutching member adaptedto clasp the leadl stick frictionally as the lead stick is moved toward the lwriting point. This clutch is adapted to move with the lead stick for a limited distance in its propelling movement under pressure from the lead-propelling device; and upon the backing up of the lead-propelling device, this clutch is adapted to return upwardly a corresponding distance and carry with it the lead stick at the writing point, thus giving the lead stick a retractive movement, the extent of which, within the range of movement of the clutch, is determined by thev distance to which the lead-propelling device is backed up.

The foregoing serving as a rather general description of certain features of rthe invention, the nature 'of the same and of other and more detailed features will be most quickly understood by a consideration of certain illustrative embodiments, which will now be described.

Referring rst to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive of the drawings, it will be understood that the pencil has a hollow barrel, here made up of the straight tubular portion 15 and tapered portion 16 which are connected at 17 by screw thread engagement. The

lfie

tapered portion 16 has a reduced bore in its lower portion, in which is seated a liner sleeve .18, for the most part cylindrical, but atted at 18e as illustrated in Fig. 7. 'At the upper end of the liner sleeve 18, the bore oi the tapered portion is enlarged to provide a shoulder 18h, above which the bore takes a flaring form for a short distance, and thence continues in its cylindrical forni to the upper end oi the tapered portion.

A lead guide tube i9 extends through the lower portion oi the bore of the barrel, and has a squared or `atted portion which fits in the iiatted portion i3a of the liner sleeve, to hold the lead guide tube against rotation with respect to the barrel. At its lower end the lead guide tube is threaded for screw connection with the tip 20, which has a circumferential shoulder.

that abuts the lower end of the barrel and sleeve 18 at 20B. Adjacent the shoulder 18b the lead guide tube is formed with a peripheral shoulder 19, and a bearing collar 21 is rotatably fitted on the lead guide tube at this point, said collar having at its lower end a short inwardly. extending flangel whichv on its upper side abuts the shoulder '19 and on its lower side abuts the end of the liner sleeve i8;

The lead guide tube has a longitudinal bore which with the bore of the tip, and -at one side the lead guide tube'is flatted off for the'greater portion of its length, as illustrated at 19b in Fig. 6, and is slotted through the atted portion to provide a longitudinal slot 19. The upper end of the lead guide tube ls counterbored andv has fittedtherein a short tube section 22, the bore of which aligns with the bore of the leadl guide tube, and which tube section has ailixed to its upper end a disk 24 which, by

-the periphery of the `disk 24.

-portion of the barrel bore.

virtue of the connection, is held stationary with the lead guide tube.

An actuator sleeve is rotatably mounted in the .o barrel, the upper portion 25 of saidI sleeve being cylindrical and extending above' the upper end of the barrel. 'I'his upper portion of the actuator sleeve constitutes the wall of the lead stick magazine, and nts closelyv but rotatably about The disk 24 constitutes the bottom of the lead stick magazine, and is provided with a central aperture 24*l of such size as to accommodate thepassage of lead-sticks singly from the magazine into the lead guide tube. l'Ihe upper surface of the disk 24 is dished or concave, so that it slopes toward the aperture 24e, and is provided with a shallow groove 24b extending outwardly from said aperture.

The lower portion 25a of the actuator sleeve is formed with a coarse helical thread or threads of rather steep pitch, and the lower end part of said sleeve is tapered so as to fit in the flaring The bearing collar 26 is fitted in the lower end of the actuator sleeve and held in place therein by portions of the sleeve which are punched into peripheral y depressions in the collar. The collar 26 and the lower end of theactuator sleeve abut the shoulder 18h, the collar 26 rotatably fitting the collar 21, and at its upper end abutting an outwardly extending flange 21B oi the collar 21. By virtue of these connections the actuator sleeve is held against withdrawal upwardly from the barrel while the lead guide tube is connected to the tip, yet the actuator sleeve may rotate freely in the I-lO barrelabout the lead guide tube. 'To impose a desirable amount of drag or friction on the ac tuator sleeve, whereby to prevent its rotating too freely, a bushing 27 is disposed in the upper end of the barreLsaid bushing being slotted to E15 form spring leaves 2'?E which have a set such as to give them an inward spring tendency, as illustrated in Fig.' 4. The resilient pressure of these leaves against the periphery of the actuator sleeve opposes a yieldable resistance to its rotation, for the purpose hereinafter explained. Within the lead magazine is arranged a night 28 which extends inwardly for a short distance from the magazine wall, the purpose of the same being to move the lead sticks in the magazine about on the magazine bottom incident to rotation 'of 'the actuator sleeve, whereby to contribute to their entry into the aperture 24a.'

Somewhat below the upper end of the actuator sleeve a gauge 29 is fixed therein, same 130 serving to close the upper-end of the magazine, excepting for a gauge aperture 29a, the-width of which is suchv as just to' permit passage therethrough of lead sticks having a predetermined diameter but the length of the gauge opening 185 being such as to permit passage of aplurality lof such lead sticks simultaneously. .An eraser 30 is movably mounted in the upper end of the actuator sleeve by means of .a split fermi@ 31 which clamps the eraser, said ferrule being pro- 1.10 vided adjacent its upper end withan outwardly extending portion 31a adapted to contact .the upper end of the actuatorsleeve. A cap 32 fits on the projecting portion'otthe actuator The cap is also provided with inwardly projecting elements 32b which. frictionally engage the peripheral surface of the actuator sleeve to restrain the cap in place, said cap being .removable upwardly from the sleeve upon application of Vsuflicient force. Slidable longitudinally on the lead guide tube is a traveler 35, shown in .full detail in Fig. 9. It is formed with an axially extending cavity 35a shaped yto fit the peripheral contour of the lead guide tube, whereby the traveler is retained against rotation with respect to said tube. On the side corresponding to the flatted side of the lead guide tube, the traveler is milled out to form longitudinal ribs 35b which are separated by a slot that extends into the cavity 35. The upper edges of said ribs and the peripheral portion of the traveler 'are provided with helical threads 35l adapted to mesh with the thread of the actuator sleeve. A lead-engaging member B6, in the nature of a pawl, is pivotally mounted inthe slot between the ribs 35b and on the pintle 37 which extends through aligned apertures in the pawl and ribs 35h. This pintle is an end portion of a wire spring 37 which encompasses the ribs' 35b and has its other end extending across and engaging the projecting `end of the pawl. The spring member is heldin position by a lug 38 on the traveler'which is bent over to engage the spring member and hold it down, as shown in Fig. 6.

The nose of the pawl 36 is of such size that it may enter through, the slot 19c and into the bore of the lead guide tube, and the tendency of the spring member 37 is such as to press the pawl to that position. Adjacent its nose the pawl is provided with a laterally projecting latching wedge 36 adapted to overlap and ride upon the ilatted `surface of the lead guide tube along the slot 19c and limit the extent to which the nose of the pawl may enter lthe bore of the lead guide'tube. A

Slidably mounted on the lead guide tube is a pawl lifter or throw-olf member 39, illustrated in detail in Fig. 19. This is in the nature of a collar or bushing having an axial cavity 39 shaped to nt the contour of the lead guide tube, whereby the throw-oil vmemberis held against rotation with respect to said tube. The throwolf member is slotted longitudinally at 39b for a portion of its length, said slot being open at the end facing the traveler and being of width such as to accommodate the nose portion ofthe pawl but not the latching wedge 36. The throw-od member is milled transversely of 'the slot to provide the pawl-lifting and latchlng lugs 39, which have faces extending obliquely to the axis of the throw-oil member.

In operation of the lead-handling parts so far described, rotation of the actuator sleeve in one direction will cause the traveler to move downwardly in the barrel, the nose of the leadengaging member 36 traveling in the slot 19 and extending into the bore of the lead guide tube. When the traveler is about to attain the limit of its downward movement, the wedge 36 of the pawl will engage the upper sloping faces of the pawl-lifting lugs 39 and as downward lower latching surfaces of said lugs, thereby retaining the nose of the pawl in the lifted position, and latching the throw-off member 39 to the traveler. This operation takes place when the throw-off member is in its lower limit position as shown in Fig. l, where it abuts the upper end of the collar 2l. The dotted line posi-tion of the travelerand pawl shown in Fig. 1 is that occupied byl these' parts when the traveler has reached its lower limit of travel and the throw-off member is latched to the traveler. Thereupon, rotation of the actuator sleeve in the opposite `direction, will slide the traveler upwardly on the lead guide tube, the traveler carryin'g the throw-oil member with it because of the latching engagement of the latching wedge 36a with the lugs 39C". The traveler, with the throw-off member thus latched to it, is thus moved to its upper limit position, which is that illustrated in Fig. 2. Just before the traveler attains this position, the throw-off member 39 is stopped by coming up against a stop member 40 which is formed on the lead guide tube, the traveler having been permitted to pass such stopV by virtue of the groove 35d through which the stop 40 may pass. The continuing upward movement of the traveler'after the throw-.oil member is thus stopped wedges the projecting end of the pawl outwardly, thus freeing the throw-off member from the traveler and permitting it to slide freely downwardly on the lead guide tube. The .pawl is held in its lifted position by virtue of the engagement of its nose on the lower portion of the unslotted tube section 22.

It will thus be observed that during the entire upward or retracting movement of the traveler, the lead-engaging member is held entirely clear of the bore of the lead guide tube, this to prevent its engaging lead sticks which may be in that tube and to preclude its dragging such lead sticks upwardly with it.y

For the purpose of accomplishing a repelling or retractive adiustment of the lead at the writing point, under controlof the lead-feeding mechanism, I provide a slidable clutch or lead-gripping member in the form of a sleeve 4l in position to engage a lead stick below the lead-engaging member 36. In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. l this sleeve is located in the bore oi' the tip 20, which is enlarged to accommodate a coiled spring 42 which encompasses the sleeve 4i and bears at its upper end against a iiange 41 at the upper end of said sleeve, and at its lower end against a shoulder 20b in the tip. The bore of the sleeve 41 is in alignment with the bore of the lead guide tube 19, so that a lead stick propelled downwardly from the latter will pass through said sleeve. The sleeve 4l has lead-gripping members 41h adapted to grip-firmly a lead stick in the tip bore. yet permit downward movement of such lead stick upon application or sufdcient propelling pressure thereto. The bore of the tip below the sleeve 41 is of such size as to permitthe latter a substantial extent of movement downwardly therein, the

limit of such movement being fixed by a stop 44 in position to engage the sleeve 41. 'I'he bore of the tip below the shoulder 44 is of such size as to permit a lead stick to slide freely therein.

As a lead stick is propelled through the sleeve 41 by the lead-propelling mechanism, it encounters yieldable resistance'from the lead-gripping members 41" sumcient to overcome the .power of spring 42, so that with the continuation of the lead-propelling movement, the sleeve 4 41 is slid downwardly and the spring 42 compressed. The downward movement of the sleeve l41 is arrested by the stop 44, whereupon furof the lead-gripping members 41h with the lowermost lead stick. Consequently, if the traveler 35 is then retracted by operation of the actuator, spring 42 will be allowed to expand and slide the sleeve 41 upwardly, thereby retracting the lead stick which is gripped by the members 41h. I Thus if the lead stick has been projectedl too far from the tip, it may be retracted to the extent that the sleeve 41 is movable. Upward movement of lthe'sleeve 41 is limited by engagement of itsl upper end with the lower end of the lead guide tube 19.

It will be observed that retention of the lead stick4 against repulsion from writing position is dependent on lead-engaging member 36. In order to obtain rapid longitudinal adjustment of the traveler 35 and lead-engaging member 36 by rotation of the actuator, it is desirable that the thread of the latter be of rather high pitch, in order to be quick acting. In order to prevent the travelers being Abacked up by upward press'ure on the lead stick, as when the pencil is Aemployed in writing, the resistance elements 27" are provided for the purpose of imposing the requisite resistance lto rotation of the actuator to prevent its being rotated by the camming action of the'traveler threads on the quick thread of the actuator under the force which may be exerted on the lead-engaging member 36 through the lead lstick or lead sticks which are below it.

It is to be observed also that the construction is such as to hold the lead very firmly in writing position and to feed it very positively and accurately without,I subjecting the small operating parts to distorting strains.

ular, it is' to be noted that the lead-engaging In this particmember 36 is a rigid element and that its active lever arm is quite short and that it acts as `a straight rigid toggle element between its pivot and the end of the lead stick upon which it acts. The reaction of the lead-propelling pressure upon the lead-engaging` member 36 tends to swing its lower end inwardly, but this resultant force is assumed by the wedge 36*l and transmitted to the le'ad guide tube by virtue of the bearing of the wedge upon its atted portion.`

The construction is such that the device may be assembledvery conveniently and accurately.

Inthe vassembly of the lead-engaging member on the traveler, the shank of the pawl is inserted in the slot between the ribs 35b with the nose of the pawl depressed, the pintle of the spring member 37 is inserted through the aligned apertures of thev pawl 'and ribs 35b with th rear end of the spring member in elevated position, the

' spring member then swung down to the position shown in Fig. 9, and the lug 38 peened over to secure it in position. The pawl lifter 39 is then slipped onto the lead guidetube at its upper end, followed by the traveler 35, and the tube section 22 with its disk 24 are -then fixed to the lead guide tube. The bearing collar 21 is slipped. onto guide tube inserted into-the actuator through the upper end thereof, the traveler being at its upper limit position so thatthe lower end of the `lead guide tube will proln'ude beyond thelower end of the actuator sleeve. The actuator sleeve is then rotated about the lead guide tube while the latter isheld-stationary, this serving to engage the thread -of the actuator sleeve with the thread of the traveler and propel the latter to its lower limit position. `The iiight 28 is then inserted through the upper end of the actuator and moved to proper position in the magazine, being there retained by the expansive pressure oi its resilient .band 28e. The gauge member 29 is then inserted to proper position against its supportingstops, where it is held in place by the constraining pressure of the encompassing portion of the actuator sleeve. The friction bushing 27 having been'inserted to proper position in the upper end of the, barrel, the actuator ,-sleeve,

-rsol with-'the other parts thus assembled thereinis` then inserted through the upper end 'of the barrel until the collars 21 'and 26 contact the, shoulder 18h, the squared portion o1 the. lead guide tube fitting in the squared portion ,18 of theliner sleeve 18. The tip'20, having had-the spring 42 and sleeve/41 assembled therein, is. then inserted through the lower end ofthe barrel and screwed onto the lower end of the"lad guide tube until the shoulder 20l is drawn up into tight abutment with the lower end of 'the barrel and liner sleeve 18. This secures all of the operating parts inthe barrel. v 'Suitable lead sticks may then be inserted into the magazine through the gauge aperture 29, and the eraser ferrulewith the eraser therein then inserted in theuppelfend ofthe actuatorsleeve, and finally the cap 32 placedin position. The device is thus coinpletely assembled. y z.

In operation of the 'pencil, the barrel being held with the point downward, manual rotation of the cap 32 willv rotate-the -.actuator..slee ve-, such movement causing a shifting ofthe lead sticks about on the stationary magazine bottom 24, the night 28 contributing. to such movement of the sticks to positions -wheresome of them will drop successively through the aperture 24* into the lead guide tube.. lAssuming that the traveler is in its-lower limit position .at the start of such rotation of -the actuator sleeve, it will bef-drawn upwardly, the lead-engaging .member 36 being .latched on the throwoil member 39 and dragging the latter upwardly with the traveler.- The first lead stick to enter the lead guide tube mayslide downwardly therein until stopped by the lead-:gripping .members 41D, another lead stick or other lead sticks fol-.- v

19e when itridesoif o f the shorttube section 22, and thus being in residen wengage against the upper end of .l one ofV the lead. sticks lein the lead guide tube. Continued downward propulsion of the traveler 35 Iwill forcethe lowermostlead stick between the lead-gripping members 41b and slide the sleeve 41 downwardlyagainst the pressure of spring 42 as above described, the .end

, end of a following lead stick. It will be observed that as the traveler is moved downwardly, another lead stick may follow it down the lead guide tube, the lower end of such lead stick contacting the upwardly presented surface of the nose of the lead-engaging member. As the traveler attains its lower limit position, the leadvengaging member will be lifted out lof the lead tube bore by the wedging action of the lugs 39c against its wedge 36, and will be held in this cast-off position throughout the return movement of the traveler, thus permitting a lead stick which has followed the traveler in its downward movement to remain in its advanced position in the lead guide tube, ready to be propelled on toward the tip by the ensuing lead-feeding movement of the traveler.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, the construction and arrangement of parts is as above described, excepting that the arrangement for automatically retractexpansible to accommodate the lead stick when it is propelled into the reduced bore portion and to exert a. resilient gripping action upon it. The particuar form of tip here shown is specially adapted for use of lead sticks of squared cross section, the terminal portion of the tip bore being squared, as illustrated in Fig. 12, and theend portion of the tip being cleft diagonally of the bore, as indicated at 45a. In order to position the lead stick rotatably incident to its movement to the squared bore, so that it may register properly therein, positioning members 45b are extended for a short distance upwardly from the atted sides of the bore into the superjacent cylindrical portion of the bore, said positioning members being formed integrally with the tip as inward protrusions from the cylindrical wall. They have diagonally sloping upper margins which terminate adjacent the corners of the squared bore. Consequently, if

, a lead stick, when it approaches the squared bore, is not in proper rotative position to register therein, a corner of the stick will engage the diagonal margin of the positioning member, and

the lead stick will be cammed around to proper rotative position incident to its advancing movement. This particular form of tip is part of the subject matter of a co-pending application of Robert Back, Serial No. 630,261, filed August 24. 1932, and is here shown for the purpose of illustrating one of various alternative tip constructions which may be employed in the combination' constituting the present invention.

It will be observed that in the propelling operation, the propelling pressure is delivered positively to the lead stick by virtue of the abutment of the lead-engaging member against its end, this, togetherlwith the fact that the leadengaging member is rigid and unyielding under the propelling pressure, accomplishing a positive and certain advancement of the lead upon propelling movement ofthe traveler. It will further be observed that the spring member which holds the lead-engaging member in lead-engaging position is entirely free from the lead-propelling pressure. It is also to be observed that by virtue of the construction, this spring member may be made comparatively long, so that its elastic flection is welldistributed, thus tending to preclude crystallization or fatigue at any particular point in it and thus rcontributing to its serviceable endurance. It is also to be observed that its extent of ection is quite short.

Although not necessarily the case, it is preferable to limit the length of the magazine, that is, the distance betweeny the magazine bottom and the gauge member 29, to a length less than the distance of travel of the lead-engaging member. This serves as a limitation upon the length of lead sticks which may be inserted in the pencil and insures that they will not be so longA as to prevent. the lead-engaging members making proper engagement with the upper endy of some one ofthe lead sticks in the leadguide tube.

Having thus described the nature and charlos acter of my invention, and various examples of gageable with the lead-engaging member at the end of its downward movement and effective to hold the lead-engaging member out of engagement with lead sticks in said tube during upward movement of said member.

2. In a mechanical pencil having a lead outlet at its lower end and a lead' stick magazine spaced upwardly therefrom, the combination of a lead guide tube for conducting a lead stick from the magazine to said outlet, a lead-engaging member movable ,into and out ofI position to engage a lead stick in said tube, means for moving the lead-engaging member in both directions longitudinally of saidtube, and a throw-oil' device for cooperation with said lead-engaging member to move it out of position to engage a lead stick in said "tube incident to completion of its downward movement, saidthrow-oi element being movable Alongitudinally of the tube with the lead-engaging member and being also movable longitudinally relative to the lead-engaging member.

3. In a mechanical pencil having a lead stick magazine and a channel for guiding a lead stick therefrom to the writing point, the combination of a. lead-engaging member movable into and out of the path of a lead stick in saidchannel, means for moving said lead-engaging member in .both directions longitudinally of said channel, and a.- throw-oi element adapted for latching engagement with the lead-engaging member to hold the latter out of the path of a lead stick in the channei, said throw-od element being movable longitudinally of the channel with the lead-engaging member when in latching cooperation therewith.V

4. In a mechanical pencil having a lead stick inagazine and a channelv for conducting lead sticks therefrom to the lWriting point, the combination of a lead-engaging member movable into and out of said channel in directions transversely thereof, a throw-od element movable longitudinallyr relative to Isaid channel, and means for moving said lead-engaging member longitudinally relative to said channel and into and out of cooperation with said throw-0R` element.

5. In a mechanical pencil having a lead-gripping device adjacent its lower end, together with a magazine for lead sticks and a channel for conducting lead sticks thereform to the leadgripping device, the combination of a traveler reciprocable longitudinally of said channel between the lead-gripping device and the magazine, a lead-engaging `member carried by the traveler forabutting engagement with the upper end of a lead stick in said channel, said lead-engaging member being movable to a castoif position clear of the path of movement oi I a, lead stick in the channel, means for moving the traveler longitudinally of the channel, and" means for cooperation with the lead-engaging member to hold it in cast-off position during its movement toward the magazine.

6. In a mechanical pencil having a magazine for lead sticks and a channel for conducting a lead stick from said magazine to the writing' point, the combination of a lead-engaging member movable in both directions longitudinally of said channel, actuating means for so moving the lead-engaging member and eective to hold it at any point of adjustment in its path of longitudina-l movement, said lead-engaging member being movable into vand out oi lead-engaging position relative to said channel, and throw-off means operably eiectivev on'said lead-engaging member at completion of its movement toward the writing point, saidv throw-oi! means adapted for cooperation with the lead-engaging member to holdv it out of lead-engaging position during its movement toward the magazine.

' '7. In a mechanical pencil having a lead stick magazine spaced upwardly from the writing point and a longitudinal passage for' conducting a lead stickfrom `the magazine-toward the writing point, vthe combination lof a traveler mov able in both directions longitudinally ot the pencil, a lead-engaging member carried by said traveler and movable-thereon to and from a position to engage a lead stickI in said passage,

resilient means urging'the lead-engaging member' to' said llead-engaging :position, actuator means operable to move the. traveler longitudinally oi.' the pencil, and a throw-of! element cooperative with the actuator means to move the lead-engaging member out of lead-engaging position, said throw-on element being vmovable with the traveler toward the magazine. f

8. In a mechanical pencil havinga lead stick magazine spaced above its writing point and a passage for conducting lead sticks from the magazine to the writing point, :the combination of ay lead-engaging member movable in both directions longitudinally oi the -p'encilv between an upper limit position a lower limit position, actuator means operable to eiect longitudinal movement of the lead-engaging member and adapted to hold the lead-engaging member stationary at any position intermediate said limit positions, resilient means for pressing the leadengaging member to lead-engaging position in said passage, and a throw-o i element cooperative with said actuator meanslto move the leadengaging member out of. lead-engaging position, said throwoli element 'beingmovable with the lead-engaging member toward its upper limit position and adapted to hold the lead-engaging member out of lead-engaging position during such movement.

9. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a barrel, a lead guide tube extending longitudinally therein, a traveler slidable longitudinally on the lead guide tube, a lead-engaging member carried by the traveler and adapted, for propelling engagement with a lead stick in the lead guide tube, a throw-a' element slidable longitudinally on the lead guide tube, a stop for limiting downward movement of the throw-01I- element, said throw-oir element being adapted to hold the lead-engaging member out of lead-engaging position, actuator means operable to move' the traveler in both directions longitudinally of the lead guide tube, and means for holding the throw-off element for movement with the traveler. y n

10. In a Amechanical pencil having a longitudinal passage for conducting a lead stick to the writing point, the combination of a leadengaging member operable to propela lead stick in said passage, actuator means operable tomove the lead-engaging member longitudinally of the pencil, and lead-retracting means operable automatically to retract a lead stick in said passage, the lead-engaging members being movable relative to the leadretracting means in the 115 lead-propelling direction. A

11. A mechanical pencil as specified in claim 10 and wherein the actuator means is adapted to hold the lead-engaging member against longitudinal movement at any point in its path of 129 travel. v

12. In a. mechanical pencil having a. longitudinal channel for conducting a lead stick toward the writing point, the combination oi leadpropelling means operable to propel a lead 135 stick in said channel, and lead-retracting means operable to impart retractive movement to a lead stick at the writing point, the lead-propelling means b eing operable independently oi the lead-retracting means to propel the lead stick toward the writing point.

13. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a lead guide tube extending longitudinally ofthe pencil, longitudinally movable lead-gripping means adapted to clutch a lead stick frictionally, lead-propelling mechanism operable to advance a lead stick in the lead guide tube and into engagement with said lead-gripping means, said lead-gripping means being movable toward the writing point by pressure from the lead-propelling mechanism, and yielding pressure means for moving said lead-gripping means away :from the writing point to impart retractive movement to a lead stick gripped by it.

14. In a'mechanical pencil, in combination, a 145 lead guide tube extending longitudinally of the pencil and having a longitudinally extending. i lateral slot, means at the lower end of the lead guide tube for gripping a lead stick in writing position, a traveler movable longitudinally or the 150.

' lead stick therein, whereby the lead-engaging member may transmit longitudinal movement to the lead stick in one direction but not in uthe other.

15. In a mechanical pencil, the combination as specied in claim 14 and including yielding pressure means for `forcing said arm of the leadengaging member into the bore of the lead guide tube, and throwomeans movablev longitudinally relative to the traveler and lead guide tube and adapted to hold said arm of the lead-engaging member clear of the bore of the latter.

16. In a mechanical pencil, the combination as speciiled in claim -14 and including a magazine arranged to dispense lead sticks successively into the lead guide tube and means for holding said arm of the lead-engaging member clear of the bore of said tube during upward movement of the traveler.

17. In a mechanical pencil, a magazine for holding a plurality of lead'sticks andv having an outlet opening of size such as to permit passage of lead sticks singly from the magazine, and a gauge member at the charging end of the magazine, said gauge member having a gauge opening affording the only entrance through which lead sticks may be introduced into said magazine,v

the width of the gauge opening being such as to permit passage of'a single lead stick having a requisitely small diameter, but the length of the gauge opening beingsuch as to permit the passage of a plurality of such lead sticks simultaneously. J

18. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a

hollow barrel, a lead guide tube arranged axially and non-rotatably therein, a tip abutting the lower end of the barrel and detachably connected to the lower end of the lead guide tube, thereby retaining the latter against withdrawal upwardly from the barrel, an actuator sleeve encompassing the upper portion of the lead guide tube and rotatable relative to the same and the its lower end to the lead guide tube to prevent upward movement of the former relative to the latter, a traveler. slidable longitudinally on the lead guide tube and held against rotation thereon, said traveler having operative connection with said actuator sleeve whereby it is moved longitudinally upon rotation of the latter, a leadengaging member carried by the traveler for cooperation with a lead stick in the lead guide tube, and means cooperating with the actuator sleeve and the upper end of the lead guide tube to maintain them in concentric relationship.

19. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a lead guide tube having a longitudinal lateral slot communicating with its bore, atraveler movable longitudinally of the tube, actuator means for moving the traveler longitudinally of the tube in forward and rearward directions, a lead-engaging member movable on the traveler and spring pressed to its normal position wherein it extends into the tube bore through the longitudinal slot thereof in position to engage a lead stick in the tube during forward movement of the traveler, and means for holding the lead-engag'ing member in cast-oil' position clear of the tube bore throughout rearward movement of the traveler from its forward limit position.

ALBERT STENERSEN. 

